Michie, Susan, Jochelson, Karen, Markham, Wolfgang A. and Bridle, Christopher (2009) Low-income groups and behaviour change interventions: a review of intervention content, effectiveness and theoretical frameworks. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, Vol.63 (No.8). pp. 610-622. doi:10.1136/jech.2008.078725

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Abstract

Background: Interventions to change health-related behaviours have potential to increase health inequalities.
Methods: This review investigated the effectiveness of interventions targeting low-income groups to reduce smoking or increase physical activity and/or healthy eating. Of 9766 papers identified by the search strategy, 13 met the inclusion criteria. Intervention content was coded into component technique and theoretical basis, and examined as a potential source of effect heterogeneity.
Results: Interventions were heterogeneous, comprising 4–19 techniques. Nine interventions had positive effects, seven resulted in no change and one had an adverse effect. Effective interventions had a tendency to have fewer techniques than ineffective interventions, with no evidence for any technique being generally effective or ineffective. Only six studies cited theory relative to intervention development, with little information about how theory was used and no obvious association with intervention content or effect.
Conclusion: This review shows that behaviour change interventions, particularly those with fewer techniques, can be effective in low-income groups, but highlights the lack of evidence to draw on in informing the design of interventions for disadvantaged groups.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Health and Social Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Health behavior -- Great Britain, Poor -- Health and hygiene -- Great Britain, Health behavior -- Economic aspects, Health promotion -- Great Britain, Public health -- Great Britain
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
Publisher:	BMJ Group
ISSN:	0143-005X
Official Date:	August 2009
Dates:	Date Event August 2009 Published
Volume:	Vol.63
Number:	No.8
Page Range:	pp. 610-622
DOI:	10.1136/jech.2008.078725
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	King's Fund (London, England) (KF)

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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